Peto's Paradox: How has evolution solved the problem of cancer prevention?

Marc Tollis; Amy M. Boddy; Carlo C. Maley

doi:10.1186/s12915-017-0401-7

Peto's Paradox: How has evolution solved the problem of cancer prevention?

Marc Tollis, Amy M. Boddy, Carlo C. Maley

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

The risk of developing cancer should theoretically increase with both the number of cells and the lifespan of an organism. However, gigantic animals do not get more cancer than humans, suggesting that super-human cancer suppression has evolved numerous times across the tree of life. This is the essence and promise of Peto's Paradox. We discuss what is known about Peto's Paradox and provide hints of what is yet to be discovered.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	60
Journal	BMC Biology
Volume	15
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-017-0401-7
State	Published - Jul 13 2017
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Biotechnology
Structural Biology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Physiology
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Plant Science
Developmental Biology
Cell Biology

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10.1186/s12915-017-0401-7

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Peto's Paradox: How has evolution solved the problem of cancer prevention?

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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